Cat with scratch wound

My 7 month old male kitty has just walked in with a biggish scratch/gash under his eye. He is happy enough, purring and not flinching when I touch near it.

The vet advised bringing him in for a check and possibly antibiotics just in case. I'm on a low income and tight budget - I will of course do whatever is necessary but just wanted to make sure the vet wasn't overreacting/drumming up business. Do you take your cat in everytime they get a scratch?